Dissatisfaction with no clear alternatives – How people in Germany think about economic policy
This report highlights how people in Germany discuss economic policy issues and which narratives dominate these conversations. The analysis is based on twelve small-group interviews conducted in Bochum and Leipzig, as well as a representative survey with 1,968 participants. The findings reveal that economic policy debates are often approached from a personal perspective, while still considering the broader community. However, these perceptions differ significantly from the prevailing narratives in politics, academia, and the media.
Five major fault lines define these discussions:
1. There is widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, yet concrete ideas on how economic processes could be reorganized are lacking.
2. Many people do not view economic issues in isolation but rather within a broader social context. However, they often apply a zero-sum mindset, leading to the exclusion of certain groups, such as refugees or welfare recipients.
3. Inequality is perceived as a major problem, but it is strongly linked to the principle of meritocracy, reinforcing distinctions, particularly toward those perceived as „lower“ in the social hierarchy.
4. While many expect the state to play an active role in economic policy, trust in its ability to act—especially in the face of global challenges—is low.
5. There is a vague sense that financial and public expenditures could be organized differently, but a lack of knowledge and vocabulary makes it difficult to discuss alternative concepts.
Research shows that existing economic policy narratives often do not align with the intuitive ways in which many people think. To foster more constructive discussions on economic policy, a stronger connection between academic, political, and everyday narratives is needed.